Digital printed duct tape

ABSTRACT

An adhesive tape is provided comprising a duct tape having an adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, a white ink printed on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape, and a colored ink printed on top of the printed white ink. The white ink and the colored ink are digitally printed and UV curable. A self-wound roll of adhesive duct tape having digitally printed ink on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application claiming priorityfrom U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/426,726, filed on Feb. 7, 2017,which is a continuation-in-part application claiming priority from U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/338,513, filed Jul. 23, 2014, whichclaims priority from provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/858,481, filed Jul. 25, 2013, in the United States Patent andTrademark Office. The disclosures of which are incorporated by referencein their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an adhesive tape, particularly a ducttape, having a digitally printed design thereon and to a method ofmaking a duct tape having a digitally printed design, particularly to amethod of making a duct tape having a customized, digitally printeddesign.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are numerous adhesive tapes in the marketplace. One such tape isduct tape which is known for its high level of adhesive strength. Ducttape typically is relatively thin having a thickness in a range of 5mils to 12 mils. Duct tape can be torn by hand; however, when unrolledit has a tendency to adhere to itself.

Presently, duct tapes are printed two ways. The first method is reverseprinting which allows the duct tape to be self-wound such that norelease liner is required. Another option is to use surface printing;however, the print quality is generally very poor and the ink adhesionto the tape is also very poor. Both of these methods also require aninvestment in print plates and typically require substantial minimumorder quantities. The idea behind custom digital printing is to create atape product that requires no or small minimum order quantities, hasvery short lead times (on demand printing) and has performancecomparable to printed duct tapes that are in the market today. Also,there is no investment in print plates required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a digitally printed duct tape and tomethods of making the digitally printed duct tape. The methods of thepresent invention are particularly suited to printing customized designsand to printing designs in small batches.

Methods of making digitally printed duct tape are discussed herein inaccordance with various aspects of the present invention. The methods ofthe present invention produce a printed duct tape having a UV cured, inksystem with the improved efficiencies and cost effectiveness of digitalprinting. The digital printed duct tape of the present invention may bemade with or with or without a release liner. The digital printed ducttape may comprise a material or composition having overcoat properties,release properties, or a combination thereof.

The method(s) of the present invention may be used to make customdigital printed duct tape in the form of die-cuts, rolls, sheets, andbanners. The fact that duct tapes and other tapes, such as packaging andpaper, have become expressive tools for many crafters solidifies theneed for further customization for the end user. It would be impossibleto have every desirable design of duct tape. Beyond this, many usersdesire to personalize their tape experience. They may want a personalphotograph or picture on their duct tape or other tape. For example, acompany may seek to have its logo or company name on the tape. Otheropportunities include special occasions or events such as weddings,birthdays, reunions, anniversaries or graduations.

An advantage of the method(s) of the present invention is the ability tofeed or electronically send to a printer a design via an image file withno print plates required, such that the present method(s) is bothinexpensive and fast.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will becomeapparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It shouldbe understood that the detailed description and specific examples, whileindicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended forpurposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope ofthe invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily to scale, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a method of making the digital printedduct tape of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating another method of making the digitalprinted duct tape of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating another method of making the digitalprinted duct tape of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating yet another method of making thedigital printed duct tape of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating still yet another method of making thedigital printed duct tape of the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a drawing illustrating a digital printed duct tape of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of the film of the digital printed duct tapeof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 is a drawing illustrating an embodiment of the digital printedduct tape of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description of the embodiments of the present invention ismerely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit theinvention, its application, or uses. The following description isprovided herein solely by way of example for purposes of providing anenabling disclosure of the invention, but does not limit the scope orsubstance of the invention.

There are numerous methods of making the digital printed duct tape inaccordance with the present invention. Thus, the drawings set forthherein are non-limiting examples of various methods of making customizeddigitally printed duct tape in accordance with the present invention.

A method of making the digital printed duct tape is shown in FIG. 1. Asshown in FIG. 1, a duct tape having an adhesive surface and anon-adhesive surface is provided, and the duct tape is unwound at point1. Releasing the duct tape from a roll is somewhat tight and may requirespecial web handling to facilitate unwinding. The duct tape travels overa roller(s) with the adhesive surface of the duct tape in contact withthe roller(s) until the duct tape reaches point 2. Preferably, theroller(s) in contact with the adhesive surface of the tape are releasecoated. The duct tape undergoes tension and relaxation at point 2. Atpoint 2, the roller over which the duct tape passes is in contact withthe non-adhesive surface of the duct tape. After undergoing tension andrelaxation, the adhesive surface of the duct tape passes over otherrollers having a release coating, such as polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE), shown at point 3.

The non-adhesive surface of the duct tape is treated at point 4 inpreparation for printing, for example, by passing through a plasma orcorona treater. Treatment of the non-adhesive surface of the duct tapemay be for a purpose including, but not limited to, preparing thesurface for ink adherence and deadening the release so the releasecoating is not active. The release coating is a low adhesion coatingdesigned to allow the adhesive surface of tape to peel from the surfaceto which the coating is applied, usually the backside of the tapebacking. Deadening the release typically reduces or eliminates therelease properties of the low adhesion coating either by removal,oxidation or other chemical or physical change. Plasma or coronatreatment nullifies or partially eliminates the functionality (i.e. therelease properties) of the release coating and improves surface energy.

A design, which may include a customized design or photograph, is fed orelectronically sent via an image file (with no print plates required) toa digital printing station comprising an inkjet printer.

After point 4, the duct tape proceeds to the inkjet digital printingstation at point 5. The print design is delivered to the inkjet digitalprinting station. During inkjet digital printing, printing occurs on thenon-adhesive surface of the duct tape. A backing table 8 is coated witha release coating such as PTFE, and the backing table 8 is in contactwith the adhesive surface of the duct tape.

After printing, the printed duct tape proceeds to ultraviolet (UV)curing, preferably dual stage UV curing. A first stage of the dual stageUV curing occurs at Station 1, shown at point 6, and a second stage ofUV curing occurs at Station 2, shown at point 7. Station 1 is used topin the ink and allows for higher machine output of up to 250 ft/min.Station 2 is a final UV cure to fully cure the ink.

After UV curing of the printed ink, the duct tape proceeds to aflexography station at point 9 where a material or composition havingrelease and/or overcoat properties is applied to the printed surface ofthe duct tape. This application may occur in a single operation. It isalso contemplated that this application could occur in a multi-stageoperation with application of a first material or composition havingrelease properties and with application of a second material orcomposition having overcoat properties, or vice versa. Among thepurposes of an overcoat is to protect the ink. The overcoat prevents,for example, the ink printed design from being scratched off. Theovercoat also allows the tape to be self-wound (i.e. wound onto itself)without a release liner. In a preferred aspect of the present invention,the ink is a child-safe (European standard) ink. However, in the case ofan overcoat, any ink can be used that is compatible with the overcoatmaterial or composition. The material or composition having overcoatproperties is a flexographically applied UV chemistry. Flexographicapplication uses photopolymer plate(s) to transfer the material orcomposition to the film. The material or composition having overcoatproperties may be a varnish or any material or composition that iscompatible with the ink. In an aspect of the present invention, thematerial or a composition having overcoat properties is UV curable. Inanother aspect of the invention, the material or composition havingovercoat properties comprises an acrylic, urethane-acrylic,silicone-acrylic or other acrylic based chemistry. Use of a material orcomposition having release properties allows an end user to easilyremove the duct tape from the roll.

The printed duct tape proceeds to point 10 where the applied material orcomposition having release and/or overcoat properties is dried. Dryingpreferably occurs by curing and the type of drying equipment used ispreferably ultraviolet. From point 10, the duct tape proceeds to taperewind at point 11. The method may further comprise winding thedigitally printed duct tape for slitting.

FIG. 1 illustrates unwind and web handling of the duct tape, forexample, with the use of coatings to avoid adhesive build-up. It alsoillustrates a method of making the printed duct tape without use of arelease liner.

With the method of the present invention, the line rate of digitallyprint duct tape is improved and speeds as high as 250 ft/min, forexample, may be attained. The equipment for use in the method(s) of thepresent invention may be capable of slitting inline. The equipment thatis used may also be capable of sheeting and die-cutting. An example ofsuitable equipment is a UV curable custom digital printer that has theability to deaden the release characteristic of the duct tape (viaplasma, corona, chemical/primer or other treatment) and which allows thedigital printed duct tape to be digitally printed at speeds as high as150 to 250 ft/min. These rates are not typical for all digital printing;however, equipment employing dual UV curing technology allows for higherthroughputs. Digital printing technology does not require costly printplates which allows for the flexibility to execute very short runs. Forexample, 20 rolls of a custom design may be used to customize duct tapefor use at a special occasion (i.e. party favors). In addition to addingcosts, print plates also extend the lead time and, as a result, couldlead to logistical problems.

Another method of making the digital printed duct tape in accordancewith the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, abarrier layer such as a liner is laminated onto the duct tape to easethe web handling through the printing process and the liner is strippedbefore rewinding the tape. As shown in FIG. 2, a duct tape having anadhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface is provided, and the ducttape is unwound at point 21. Releasing the duct tape from a roll issomewhat tight and may require special web handling to facilitateunwinding. The duct tape travels over a roller(s) with the adhesivesurface of the duct tape in contact with the roller(s) until the ducttape reaches point 22. Preferably, the roller(s) in contact with theadhesive surface of the tape are release coated. The duct tape undergoestension and relaxation at point 22. At point 22, the roller over whichthe duct tape passes is in contact with the non-adhesive surface of theduct tape. After undergoing tension and relaxation, the adhesive surfaceof the duct tape passes over other rollers having a release coating,such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The duct tape then proceeds to alaminating station at point 23 where a liner is laminated onto the ducttape. The liner unwind occurs at point 24. The non-adhesive surface ofthe duct tape is treated at point 25 in preparation for printing, forexample, by passing through a plasma or corona treater. From point 25,the duct tape proceeds to an inkjet digital printing station at point 26and then onto ultraviolet (UV) curing. A first stage of the dual stageUV curing occurs at Station 1, shown at point 27, and a second stage ofUV curing occurs at Station 2, shown at point 28. Station 1 is used topin the ink and allows for higher machine output of up to 250 ft/min.Station 2 is a final UV cure to fully cure the ink.

After UV curing of the printed ink, the duct tape proceeds to aflexography station at point 29 where a material or composition havingrelease and/or overcoat properties is applied to the printed surface ofthe duct tape. This application may occur in a single operation. It isalso contemplated that this application could occur in a multi-stageoperation with application of a first material or composition havingrelease properties and with application of a second material orcomposition having overcoat properties, or vice versa. The printed ducttape proceeds to point 30 where the applied material or compositionhaving release and/or overcoat properties is dried. Drying preferablyoccurs by curing and the type of drying equipment used is preferablyultraviolet. From point 30, the printed duct tape proceeds to linerrewind at point 31 where the liner is removed and to tape rewind atpoint 32 where, for example, the printed duct tape is wound onto a roll.

Another method of making digital printed duct tape in accordance withthe present invention is shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, printingoccurs on a film, preferably a thin film, and then a UV adhesive isapplied to a surface of the printed film prior to lamination with a ducttape or subtape component. For example, this method could be used ifthere are bonding issues using the overcoat material in the othermethods. As shown in FIG. 3, a polymeric film such as polyethylene orpolyethylene terephthalate goes through unwind at point 41 beforeundergoing surface treatment by passing through a plasma or coronatreater at point 42. After treatment, the film proceeds to an inkjetdigital printing station at point 43 and then onto ultraviolet (UV)curing. A first step of UV curing (pinning of the ink at Station 1)occurs at point 44, and a second step of UV curing to dry the ink (finalcuring at Station 2) occurs at point 45. After UV curing, the printedfilm proceeds to a flexography station at point 46 where a UV adhesiveis applied. A duct tape or a subtape component is unwound from a roll atpoint 51. The duct tape undergoes tension and relaxation at point 50.The duct tape then proceeds to a laminating station where laminationwith the printed film occurs at point 47 to form a laminated tape. UVcuring of the UV adhesive of the laminated tape occurs at point 48.Rewind of the laminated tape occurs at point 49.

Another method of making digital printed duct tape in accordance withthe present invention is shown in FIG. 4. The method of FIG. 4 is thesame as the method illustrated in FIG. 2 except instead of stripping theliner off, the liner is left on and sheets of the printed tape are cut.Rolls can also be produced on a liner which may be desirable to some endusers. As shown in FIG. 4, a duct tape goes through tape unwind at point61 before undergoing tension and relaxation at point 62. The duct tapethen proceeds to a station at point 63 where a liner is laminated orapplied to the duct tape. The liner unwind occurs at point 64. The ducttape then passes through a plasma or corona treater at point 65. Frompoint 65, the duct tape proceeds to an inkjet digital printing stationat point 66 and then onto ultraviolet (UV) curing. A first step of UVcuring (pinning of the ink at Station 1) occurs at point 67, and asecond step of UV curing (final curing at Station 2) occurs at point 68.After UV curing, the duct tape proceeds to a flexography station atpoint 69 where a material or composition having release and/or overcoatproperties is applied. The duct tape then proceeds to point 70 where thematerial or composition having release and/or overcoat properties iscured. From point 70, the duct tape proceeds to die-cutting or sheetingat point 71. The finished product has a release liner.

Another method of making the digital printed duct tape in accordancewith the present invention is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, abarrier layer such as a release liner is laminated or applied to theduct tape to ease the web handling through the printing process and sothat the liner is present when the printed duct tape is rewound. Asshown in FIG. 5, a duct tape having an adhesive surface and anon-adhesive surface is provided, and the duct tape is unwound at point80. Releasing the duct tape from a roll is somewhat tight and mayrequire special web handling to facilitate unwinding. The duct tapetravels over a roller(s) with the adhesive surface of the duct tape incontact with the roller(s) until the duct tape reaches point 81.Preferably, the roller(s) in contact with the adhesive surface of thetape are release coated. The duct tape undergoes tension and relaxationat point 81. At point 81, the roller over which the duct tape passes isin contact with the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape. Afterundergoing tension and relaxation, the adhesive surface of the duct tapepasses over other rollers having a release coating, such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The duct tape then proceeds to a stationat point 83 where a liner is laminated or applied to the duct tape. Theliner unwind occurs at point 82. The non-adhesive surface of the ducttape is treated at point 84 in preparation for printing, for example, bypassing through a plasma or corona treater. From point 84, the duct tapeproceeds to an inkjet digital printing station at point 85 and then ontoultraviolet (UV) curing. A first stage of the dual stage UV curingoccurs at Station 1, shown at point 86, and a second stage of UV curingoccurs at Station 2, shown at point 87. Station 1 is used to pin the inkand allows for higher machine output of up to 250 ft/min. Station 2 is afinal UV cure to fully cure the ink. After UV curing of the printed ink,the printed duct tape with barrier layer proceeds to tape rewind atpoint 88. This barrier layer protects the adhesive from adhering to theink on the tape when rewound.

The method(s) of the present invention is capable of producing finishedroll products having features including, but not limited to, customdesigns, custom colors, and photography with high resolution. Themethod(s) of the present invention is also conducive to producingsurface printed sheets having features including, but not limited to,custom designs, custom colors, and photography with high resolution. Themethod(s) of the present invention is also suitable for making die-cutitems such as letters, numbers, shapes, and stickers.

The method(s) of the present invention with its digital printingcapability provides for duct tape patterns that are not governed byprint cylinder repeat. As a result, among the advantages of themethod(s) of the present invention are the ability and flexibility toproduce low cost proofs and to produce quick-turnaround mockups forcustomers.

In an embodiment of the invention, an adhesive tape having ink printedthereon is provided. The adhesive tape comprises a duct tape having anadhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, a white ink printed on thenon-adhesive surface of the duct tape, and a colored ink printed on topof the printed white ink.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6A, an adhesive tape 100 havingmore than one ink layer is shown, preferably having two ink layers.Below an optional release coat 110, there is a colored ink layer 120.Below colored ink layer 120, there is a white ink layer 130. Below whiteink layer 130 is a film 140, a scrim 150, and an adhesive layer 160. Thefilm 140, scrim 150, and adhesive layer 160 are collectively referred toas a duct tape.

Release coating 100 preferably comprises a material selected from thegroup consisting of acrylic, silicone, poly vinyl octadecyl carbonate(PVODC), fluorinated material, vinyl acetate, or a combination thereof.

Film 140 comprises one or more layers of film. Preferably, film 140 hasa thickness in a range of 2 to 4 mils. Preferably, film 140 comprises apolyolefin or blends thereof.

FIG. 6B is an exploded view of film 140 of digital printed duct tape 100of FIG. 6A. As shown in FIG. 6B, film 140 comprises a top layer 170, acore layer 180, and a bottom layer 190. Top layer 170 of film 140 ispreferably comprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene or blends thereof, ethyl methyl acrylate (EMA), and acombination thereof. Core layer 180 of film 140 is preferably comprisedof polyethylene or blends thereof. Bottom layer 190 is preferablycomprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene or blends thereof, ethyl methyl acrylate (EMA), and acombination thereof. As a non-limiting example, bottom layer 190 may becomprised of a polyethylene blend such as LDPE, LLPDE or a combinationthereof.

Non-limiting examples of materials for scrim 150 include, but are notlimited to, polyester-cotton, cotton, polyester, polyethylene,polypropylene, and combinations thereof. Preferably, scrim 150 is acloth scrim.

Non-limiting examples of adhesive 160 include, but are not limited to,natural rubber, synthetic rubber, acrylic, hot melt, polychloroprene,and combinations thereof. Adhesive may be used that gives the tape anunwind measured at 100 fpm (between 1 and 90 oz/in). Adhesive ispreferably applied in a coat having a coat weight range of 1 to 7oz/yd².

In an embodiment of the invention, a duct tape has an adhesive surfaceand a non-adhesive surface, and a white ink is present in a layer on thenon-adhesive surface of the duct tape. Preferably, the white ink isdigitally printed on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape.

The white ink is ultraviolet (UV) light curable. The white ink generallycomprises at least one reactive co-monomer, a white pigment, a primaryinitiator, a polymeric photoinitiator, and an antioxidant. In apreferred embodiment, the white ink comprises titanium dioxide as thewhite pigment. Preferably, titanium dioxide is present in a range of 5weight % to 30 weight %. Preferably, the white ink is present in a layerhaving a thickness up to 25 microns.

In an embodiment of the invention, the white ink comprisesdipropyleneglycol diacrylate, 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate,titanium dioxide, substitute phosphine oxide,oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone], andbutylated hydroxytoluene.

In an embodiment of the invention, the white ink has a compositioncomprising 30 weight % to 50 weight % of dipropyleneglycol diacrylate,20 weight % to 40 weight % of 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, 5weight % to 30 weight % titanium dioxide, 1 weight % to 20 weight %substitute phosphine oxide, 0.9 weight % to 5 weight %oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone], and lessthan or equal to 1 weight % butylated hydroxytoluene, wherein the weight% is based on the total weight of the composition.

The colored ink is present in a layer on the white ink. Preferably, thecolored ink is digitally printed on the colored ink. Preferably, thecolored ink has a thickness up to 15 microns.

The colored ink is ultraviolet (UV) light curable. The colored inkgenerally comprises at least one reactive co-monomer, an optional whitepigment, a primary initiator, a polymeric photoinitiator, a coloredpigment, and an antioxidant. The optional white pigment is preferablypresent in a range of 0 weight % to 30 weight %, wherein weight % isbased on the total weight of the composition. The colored pigment can beany colored pigment known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

In an embodiment of the invention, the colored ink generally comprisesdipropyleneglycol diacrylate, 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate,substitute phosphine oxide,oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone], a coloredpigment(s), butylated hydroxytoluene, and 2-phenoxyethylacrylate.Non-limiting examples of colored pigments include, but are not limitedto, red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, and key (black). Anon-limiting example of a black is carbon black. A non-limiting exampleof a red is lithol. A non-limiting example of a green is phthalocyaninegreen. A non-limiting example of a blue is pthalocyanine blue. Anon-limiting example of a yellow is an azo compound. A non-limitingexample of a magenta is a quinacridone.

In an embodiment of the invention, the colored ink has a compositioncomprising 50 weight % to 70 weight % dipropyleneglycol diacrylate, 5weight % to 10 weight % 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, 5 weight %to 10 weight % substitute phosphine oxide, 5 weight % to 10 weight %oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone], 1 weight% to 10 weight % of a colored pigment, less than or equal to 1 weight %butylated hydroxytoluene, and 5 weight % to 10 weight %2-phenoxyethylacrylate. In an embodiment of the invention, an optionalwhite pigment is also present in a range of 0 weight % to 30 weight %.Weight percentages are based on the total weight of the composition.

In an embodiment, a self-wound roll of adhesive duct tape having digitalprinting on the non-adhesive surface of the duct tape is provided.Sheets and other forms of the adhesive tape may also be provided.

It has been surprisingly found that use of a white ink printed on a ducttape in combination with a colored ink printed on the white ink has asynergistic effect as it relates to adherence of digitally printed inkon duct tape. There is surprisingly better bonding of a colored ink toduct tape with the use of a white ink as an intermediate layer betweenthe colored ink and the film of the duct tape, resulting insignificantly less pick-off or flaking of the colored ink when theadhesive duct tape is self-wound.

In another embodiment of the invention, an adhesive tape is providedcomprised of multiple layers. Referring to FIG. 7, an adhesive tape 200is shown in which there is a single layer of colored ink 220. Coloredink layer 220 is located below an optional release coat layer 210. Belowcolored ink layer 220 is a primer layer 230 that is used to improve theanchorage between a film 240 and the colored ink layer 220. Below film240 is a scrim 250. Below the scrim is an adhesive layer 260. The film240, scrim 250, and adhesive layer 260 are collectively referred to asduct tape.

A purpose of primer layer 230 is to promote adhesion of colored inklayer 220 to film 240. The primer of the primer layer acts an adhesionpromoter. Non-limiting examples of primers include, but are not limitedto, chlorinated polyolefins, acrylic modified polyolefins, acrylics,polyurethanes, polyethylene amines, titanium dioxide, and a combinationthereof. Examples of trade name for commercially available primers areNazdar 7035 and Colorific Adhesion Promoter 7200.

A white ink may serve as the primer. The primer may comprise, consistessentially of, or consist of a white ink.

Film 240 may comprise one or more layers. Film 240 may be pigmentedwithin any of its layers in a variety of colors. White is a non-limitingexample of a color. Film 24 may comprise a top layer, a core layer, anda bottom layer.

The top layer of the film is preferably comprised of a polymer selectedfrom the group consisting of polyethylene or blends thereof, ethylmethyl acrylate (EMA), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), ethlyene acrylic acidcopolymer, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, clay and a combinationthereof.

It has been surprisingly found that use of a primer on a duct tape incombination with a colored ink printed on the primer has a synergisticeffect as it relates to adherence of digitally printed ink on duct tape.There is surprisingly better bonding of a colored ink to duct tape withthe use of a primer as an intermediate layer between the colored ink andthe film of the duct tape, resulting in significantly less pick-off orflaking of the colored ink when the adhesive duct tape is self-wound.

Example

25% solids of HP 98, a material having acrylic release chemistrycommercially available from Omnova Solutions, Inc., was release coatedon a film. The liner was removed and samples slit. One roll was aged inan oven for 16 hours at 150° F. and 60% relative humidity (RH). Therolls were printed in lanes. Each lane was printed in a differentcombination. One lane had white ink under a blue ink image. Another lanehad blue ink and white ink, but did not have the white ink under theblue ink. There were two other lanes that had blue ink but no white ink.All of the rolls tested picked off the ink except for the lane that hada white ink printed first underneath the entire image before the blueink logo was printed. The white ink appeared to bond better to the filmand this was the only lane that was able to make a self-wound roll oftape without pick-off. The blue printed directly on the film hadcomplete pick-off and the roll did not even need to be aged as ithappened immediately.

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in theart that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility andapplication. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present inventionother than those herein described, as well as many variations,modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from orreasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoingdescription thereof, without departing from the substance or scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has beendescribed herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, itis to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative andexemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes ofproviding a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoingdisclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the presentinvention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments,adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adhesive tape comprising: a duct tape havingan adhesive surface and a non-adhesive surface, a primer on thenon-adhesive surface of the duct tape, and a colored ink printed on topof the primer.
 2. The adhesive tape according to claim 1, wherein theduct tape is comprised of a film, a cloth scrim, and an adhesive.
 3. Theadhesive tape according to claim 1, wherein the colored ink is UVcurable.
 4. The adhesive tape according to claim 1, further comprising arelease coating on the colored printed ink.
 5. The adhesive tapeaccording to claim 1, wherein the release coating comprises a materialselected from the group consisting of acrylic, silicone, poly vinyloctadecyl carbonate (PVODC), fluorinated-based coating, and vinylacetate-based coating.
 6. The adhesive tape according to claim 1,wherein the colored ink has a thickness up to 15 microns.
 7. Theadhesive tape according to claim 2, wherein the film is a polyolefinfilm.
 8. The adhesive tape according to claim 2, wherein the filmcomprises one or more layers.
 9. The adhesive tape according to claim 2,wherein the film comprises a top layer, a core layer, and a bottomlayer.
 10. The adhesive tape according to claim 9, wherein the top layeris comprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, ethyl methyl acrylate (EMA), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA),ethlyene acrylic acid copolymer, titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate,clay, and a combination thereof.
 11. The adhesive tape according toclaim 9, wherein the core layer is comprised of polyethylene.
 12. Theadhesive tape according to claim 9, wherein the bottom layer iscomprised of a polymer selected from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, ethyl methyl acrylate (EMA), and a combination thereof.13. The adhesive tape according to claim 12, wherein the bottom layer iscomprised of a polyethylene blend comprising LDPE, LLPDE or acombination thereof.
 14. The adhesive tape according to claim 2, whereinthe film has a thickness in a range of 2 to 4 mils.
 15. The adhesivetape according to claim 1, wherein the colored ink comprises at leastone reactive co-monomer, an optional white pigment, a primary initiator,a polymeric photoinitiator, a colored pigment, and an antioxidant. 16.The adhesive tape according to claim 1, wherein the colored ink isdigitally printed.
 17. The adhesive tape according to claim 1, whereinthe colored ink comprises dipropyleneglycol diacrylate,2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, substitute phosphine oxide,oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone], a coloredpigment, butylated hydroxytoluene, and 2-phenoxyethylacrylate.
 18. Theadhesive tape according to claim 1, wherein the colored ink comprises 50weight % to 70 weight % dipropyleneglycol diacrylate, 5 weight % to 10weight % 2-(2-vinyloxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, 5 weight % to 10 weight %substitute phosphine oxide, 5 weight % to 10 weight %oligo[2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1[4-(1-methylvinyl)phenyl]propanone], 1 weight% to 10 weight % of a colored pigment, less than or equal to 1 weight %butylated hydroxytoluene, and 5 weight % to 10 weight %2-phenoxyethylacrylate.
 19. The adhesive tape according to claim 1,wherein the primer is selected from the group consisting of chlorinatedpolyolefins, acrylic modified polyolefins, acrylics, polyurethanes,polyethylene amines, titanium dioxide, and a combination thereof. 20.The adhesive tape according to claim 1, wherein the primer comprises awhite ink.